1
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Kiyama T, Altay HY, Badea TC, Mao CA. Pou4f1- Tbr1 transcriptional cascade controls the formation of Jam2-expressing retinal ganglion cells. Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne) 2023; 3:1175568. [PMID: 38469155 PMCID: PMC10926710 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1175568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
More than 40 retinal ganglion cell (RGC) subtypes have been categorized in mouse based on their morphologies, functions, and molecular features. Among these diverse subtypes, orientation-selective Jam2-expressing RGCs (J-RGCs) has two unique morphologic characteristics: the ventral-facing dendritic arbor and the OFF-sublaminae stratified terminal dendrites in the inner plexiform layer. Previously, we have discovered that T-box transcription factor T-brain 1 (Tbr1) is expressed in J-RGCs. We further found that Tbr1 is essential for the expression of Jam2, and Tbr1 regulates the formation and the dendritic morphogenesis of J-RGCs. However, Tbr1 begins to express in terminally differentiated RGCs around perinatal stage, suggesting that it is unlikely involved in the initial fate determination for J-RGC and other upstream transcription factors must control Tbr1 expression and J-RGC formation. Using the Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation technique, we discovered that Pou4f1 binds to Tbr1 on the evolutionary conserved exon 6 and an intergenic region downstream of the 3'UTR, and on a region flanking the promoter and the first exon of Jam2. We showed that Pou4f1 is required for the expression of Tbr1 and Jam2, indicating Pou4f1 as a direct upstream regulator of Tbr1 and Jam2. Most interestingly, the Pou4f1-bound element in exon 6 of Tbr1 possesses high-level enhancer activity, capable of directing reporter gene expression in J-RGCs. Together, these data revealed a Pou4f1-Tbr1-Jam2 genetic hierarchy as a critical pathway in the formation of J-RGC subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takae Kiyama
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Halit Y. Altay
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Research and Development Institute, Transilvania University of Brasov, School of Medicine, Brasov 500484, Romania
- National Center for Brain Research, Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Romanian Academy, Bucharest 050711, Romania
| | - Chai-An Mao
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The MD Anderson Cancer Center/UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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2
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Crespo I, Pignatelli J, Kinare V, Méndez-Gómez HR, Esgleas M, Román MJ, Canals JM, Tole S, Vicario C. Tbr1 Misexpression Alters Neuronal Development in the Cerebral Cortex. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5750-5765. [PMID: 35781633 PMCID: PMC9395452 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02936-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the transcription factor (TF) expression are critical for brain development, and they may also underlie neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, T-box brain1 (Tbr1) is a TF crucial for the formation of neocortical layer VI, and mutations and microdeletions in that gene are associated with malformations in the human cerebral cortex, alterations that accompany autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, Tbr1 upregulation has also been related to the occurrence of ASD-like symptoms, although limited studies have addressed the effect of increased Tbr1 levels during neocortical development. Here, we analysed the impact of Tbr1 misexpression in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), when they mainly generate neuronal layers II–IV. By E18.5, cells accumulated in the intermediate zone and in the deep cortical layers, whereas they became less abundant in the upper cortical layers. In accordance with this, the proportion of Sox5+ cells in layers V–VI increased, while that of Cux1+ cells in layers II–IV decreased. On postnatal day 7, fewer defects in migration were evident, although a higher proportion of Sox5+ cells were seen in the upper and deep layers. The abnormal neuronal migration could be partially due to the altered multipolar-bipolar neuron morphologies induced by Tbr1 misexpression, which also reduced dendrite growth and branching, and disrupted the corpus callosum. Our results indicate that Tbr1 misexpression in cortical NPCs delays or disrupts neuronal migration, neuronal specification, dendrite development and the formation of the callosal tract. Hence, genetic changes that provoke ectopic Tbr1 upregulation during development could provoke cortical brain malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Crespo
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,CES Cardenal Cisneros, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Pignatelli
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veena Kinare
- Department of Life Sciences, Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, 400026, India
| | - Héctor R Méndez-Gómez
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam Esgleas
- CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Román
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep M Canals
- CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Shubha Tole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, 400005, India
| | - Carlos Vicario
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain. .,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Fazel Darbandi S, Robinson Schwartz SE, Pai ELL, Everitt A, Turner ML, Cheyette BNR, Willsey AJ, State MW, Sohal VS, Rubenstein JLR. Enhancing WNT Signaling Restores Cortical Neuronal Spine Maturation and Synaptogenesis in Tbr1 Mutants. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107495. [PMID: 32294447 PMCID: PMC7473600 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tbr1 is a high-confidence autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
gene encoding a transcription factor with distinct pre- and postnatal functions.
Postnatally, Tbr1 conditional knockout (CKO) mutants and
constitutive heterozygotes have immature dendritic spines and reduced synaptic
density. Tbr1 regulates expression of several genes that
underlie synaptic defects, including a kinesin (Kif1a) and a
WNT-signaling ligand (Wnt7b). Furthermore,
Tbr1 mutant corticothalamic neurons have reduced thalamic
axonal arborization. LiCl and a GSK3β inhibitor, two WNT-signaling
agonists, robustly rescue the dendritic spines and the synaptic and axonal
defects, suggesting that this could have relevance for therapeutic approaches in
some forms of ASD. Fazel Darbandi et al. demonstrate that TBR1 directly regulates
transcriptional circuits in cortical layers 5 and 6, which promote dendritic
spine and synaptic density. Enhancing WNT signaling rescues dendritic spine
maturation and synaptogenesis defects in Tbr1 mutants. These
results provide insights into mechanisms that underlie ASD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Fazel Darbandi
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sarah E Robinson Schwartz
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Amanda Everitt
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Marc L Turner
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - A Jeremy Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience and Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Alonso A, Trujillo CM, Puelles L. Quail-chick grafting experiments corroborate that Tbr1-positive eminential prethalamic neurons migrate along three streams into hypothalamus, subpallium and septocommissural areas. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:759-785. [PMID: 33544184 PMCID: PMC7981335 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02206-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The prethalamic eminence (PThE), a diencephalic caudal neighbor of the telencephalon and alar hypothalamus, is frequently described in mammals and birds as a transient embryonic structure, undetectable in the adult brain. Based on descriptive developmental analysis of Tbr1 gene brain expression in chick embryos, we previously reported that three migratory cellular streams exit the PThE rostralward, targeting multiple sites in the hypothalamus, subpallium and septocommissural area, where eminential cells form distinct nuclei or disperse populations. These conclusions needed experimental corroboration. In this work, we used the homotopic quail-chick chimeric grafting procedure at stages HH10/HH11 to demonstrate by fate-mapping the three predicted tangential migration streams. Some chimeric brains were processed for Tbr1 in situ hybridization, for correlation with our previous approach. Evidence supporting all three postulated migration streams is presented. The results suggested a slight heterochrony among the juxtapeduncular (first), the peripeduncular (next), and the eminentio-septal (last) streams, each of which followed differential routes. A possible effect of such heterochrony on the differential selection of medial to lateral habenular hodologic targets by the migrated neurons is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Alonso
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Biomedical Research Laboratory (LAIB), Health Campus, Murcia Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Carmen María Trujillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Luis Puelles
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Biomedical Research Laboratory (LAIB), Health Campus, Murcia Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, 30120, Murcia, Spain
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5
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Kiyama T, Long Y, Chen CK, Whitaker CM, Shay A, Wu H, Badea TC, Mohsenin A, Parker-Thornburg J, Klein WH, Mills SL, Massey SC, Mao CA. Essential Roles of Tbr1 in the Formation and Maintenance of the Orientation-Selective J-RGCs and a Group of OFF-Sustained RGCs in Mouse. Cell Rep 2020; 27:900-915.e5. [PMID: 30995485 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mouse retina, more than 30 retinal ganglion cell (RGC) subtypes have been classified based on a combined metric of morphological and functional characteristics. RGCs arise from a common pool of retinal progenitor cells during embryonic stages and differentiate into mature subtypes in adult retinas. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling formation and maturation of such remarkable cellular diversity remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that T-box transcription factor T-brain 1 (Tbr1) is expressed in two groups of morphologically and functionally distinct RGCs: the orientation-selective J-RGCs and a group of OFF-sustained RGCs with symmetrical dendritic arbors. When Tbr1 is genetically ablated during retinal development, these two RGC groups cannot develop. Ectopically expressing Tbr1 in M4 ipRGCs during development alters dendritic branching and density but not the inner plexiform layer stratification level. Our data indicate that Tbr1 plays critical roles in regulating the formation and dendritic morphogenesis of specific RGC types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takae Kiyama
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ye Long
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ching-Kang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christopher M Whitaker
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Allison Shay
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongyu Wu
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tudor C Badea
- National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amir Mohsenin
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jan Parker-Thornburg
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - William H Klein
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen L Mills
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen C Massey
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chai-An Mao
- Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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6
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Yook C, Kim K, Kim D, Kang H, Kim SG, Kim E, Kim SY. A TBR1-K228E Mutation Induces Tbr1 Upregulation, Altered Cortical Distribution of Interneurons, Increased Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission, and Autistic-Like Behavioral Deficits in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:241. [PMID: 31680851 PMCID: PMC6797848 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Tbr1, a high-confidence ASD (autism spectrum disorder)-risk gene encoding the transcriptional regulator TBR1, have been shown to induce diverse ASD-related molecular, synaptic, neuronal, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice. However, whether Tbr1 mutations derived from autistic individuals cause similar dysfunctions in mice remains unclear. Here we generated and characterized mice carrying the TBR1-K228E de novo mutation identified in human ASD and identified various ASD-related phenotypes. In heterozygous mice carrying this mutation (Tbr1+/K228E mice), levels of the TBR1-K228E protein, which is unable to bind target DNA, were strongly increased. RNA-Seq analysis of the Tbr1+/K228E embryonic brain indicated significant changes in the expression of genes associated with neurons, astrocytes, ribosomes, neuronal synapses, and ASD risk. The Tbr1+/K228E neocortex also displayed an abnormal distribution of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, with a lower density in superficial layers but a higher density in deep layers. These changes were associated with an increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission in layer 6 pyramidal neurons that was resistant to compensation by network activity. Behaviorally, Tbr1+/K228E mice showed decreased social interaction, increased self-grooming, and modestly increased anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that the human heterozygous TBR1-K228E mutation induces ASD-related transcriptomic, protein, neuronal, synaptic, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaehyun Yook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Doyoun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun-Gyun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeongnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
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7
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Blackwood CA. Jagged1 is Essential for Radial Glial Maintenance in the Cortical Proliferative Zone. Neuroscience 2019; 413:230-238. [PMID: 31202705 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Radial glial maintenance is essential for the proper development of the cortex. It is known that the evolutionarily conserved Notch signaling pathway is required for maintaining the pool of radial glial stem cells although the mechanisms involved are not entirely understood. Here, we study the Notch ligand, Jagged1, in the mouse ventricular zone at a late stage of embryonic development. We use a conditional loss of function allele to show that Jagged1 is required for maintaining radial glial cells and when absent, leads to defects in the cortical proliferation zone and expression of intermediate progenitor cells. Using in vitro approaches, we found that depletion of Jagged1 reduced the size of primary neurospheres and their capacity to self-renewal. Finally, Jagged1 mutants also showed precocious neuronal differentiation and cortical defects. Together, these data support a role for Jagged1 in radial glia maintenance in the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Blackwood
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461.
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8
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Fazel Darbandi S, Robinson Schwartz SE, Qi Q, Catta-Preta R, Pai ELL, Mandell JD, Everitt A, Rubin A, Krasnoff RA, Katzman S, Tastad D, Nord AS, Willsey AJ, Chen B, State MW, Sohal VS, Rubenstein JLR. Neonatal Tbr1 Dosage Controls Cortical Layer 6 Connectivity. Neuron 2018; 100:831-845.e7. [PMID: 30318412 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
An understanding of how heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes, such as TBR1, contribute to ASD remains elusive. Conditional Tbr1 deletion during late mouse gestation in cortical layer 6 neurons (Tbr1layer6 mutants) provides novel insights into its function, including dendritic patterning, synaptogenesis, and cell-intrinsic physiology. These phenotypes occur in heterozygotes, providing insights into mechanisms that may underlie ASD pathophysiology. Restoring expression of Wnt7b largely rescues the synaptic deficit in Tbr1layer6 mutant neurons. Furthermore, Tbr1layer6 heterozygotes have increased anxiety-like behavior, a phenotype seen ASD. Integrating TBR1 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from layer 6 neurons and activity of TBR1-bound candidate enhancers provides evidence for how TBR1 regulates layer 6 properties. Moreover, several putative TBR1 targets are ASD risk genes, placing TBR1 in a central position both for ASD risk and for regulating transcriptional circuits that control multiple steps in layer 6 development essential for the assembly of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Fazel Darbandi
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sarah E Robinson Schwartz
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Qihao Qi
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rinaldo Catta-Preta
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Mandell
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Amanda Everitt
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Anna Rubin
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rebecca A Krasnoff
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sol Katzman
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - David Tastad
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Alex S Nord
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - A Jeremy Willsey
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience and Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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9
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Glendining KA, Fisher LC, Jasoni CL. Maternal high fat diet alters offspring epigenetic regulators, amygdala glutamatergic profile and anxiety. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 96:132-41. [PMID: 29940426 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Maternal obesity during pregnancy can impact long-term health, predisposition to disease, and risk of neurological disorders in offspring. This may arise from disruption to epigenetic processes during offspring brain development. Using a maternal high fat diet (mHFD) mouse model, we investigated the expression of genes encoding epigenetic regulators in the brains of gestational day (GD) 17.5 mHFD offspring. We found significant, regionally unique changes in expression of epigenetic regulators in the developing brain of mHFD offspring compared to controls, with Gadd45b downregulated in medial prefrontal cortex, Mecp2 downregulated in amygdala, and sex-specific downregulation of Crebbp, Dnmt3b, and Mecp2 in male mHFD hippocampus. Decreased Mecp2 in the amygdala was associated with significant upregulation of the Mecp2-repressed gene, Tbr1, and an increased number of TBR1+ glutamatergic neurons in the basomedial nucleus of the amygdala. Tbr1 upregulation in amygdala was also observed in postnatal day 8 (P8) mHFD offspring, and levels of glutamate receptor gene Grin2b, and Fos, a marker for neuronal activity, were increased. Indications of heightened excitatory drive in mHFD offspring amygdala were associated with an anxiety-like phenotype, with mHFD offspring displaying altered ultrasonic vocalization characteristics at P8, and adult female mHFD offspring spending decreased time on the open arm of the Elevated Plus Maze. Together, this data provides insight into sex-specific offspring vulnerability to perinatal mHFD programming of anxiety-like behaviors.
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Docampo-Seara A, Lagadec R, Mazan S, Rodríguez MA, Quintana-Urzainqui I, Candal E. Study of pallial neurogenesis in shark embryos and the evolutionary origin of the subventricular zone. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:3593-612. [PMID: 29980930 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal part of the developing telencephalon is one of the brain areas that has suffered most drastic changes throughout vertebrate evolution. Its evolutionary increase in complexity was thought to be partly achieved by the appearance of a new neurogenic niche in the embryonic subventricular zone (SVZ). Here, a new kind of amplifying progenitors (basal progenitors) expressing Tbr2, undergo a second round of divisions, which is believed to have contributed to the expansion of the neocortex. Accordingly, the existence of a pallial SVZ has been classically considered exclusive of mammals. However, the lack of studies in ancient vertebrates precludes any clear conclusion about the evolutionary origin of the SVZ and the neurogenic mechanisms that rule pallial development. In this work, we explore pallial neurogenesis in a basal vertebrate, the shark Scyliorhinus canicula, through the study of the expression patterns of several neurogenic markers. We found that apical progenitors and radial migration are present in sharks, and therefore, their presence must be highly conserved throughout evolution. Surprisingly, we detected a subventricular band of ScTbr2-expressing cells, some of which also expressed mitotic markers, indicating that the existence of basal progenitors should be considered an ancestral condition rather than a novelty of mammals or amniotes. Finally, we report that the transcriptional program for the specification of glutamatergic pallial cells (Pax6, Tbr2, NeuroD, Tbr1) is also present in sharks. However, the segregation of these markers into different cell types is not clear yet, which may be linked to the lack of layering in anamniotes.
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Marinaro F, Marzi MJ, Hoffmann N, Amin H, Pelizzoli R, Niola F, Nicassio F, De Pietri Tonelli D. MicroRNA-independent functions of DGCR8 are essential for neocortical development and TBR1 expression. EMBO Rep 2017; 18:603-618. [PMID: 28232627 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201642800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that the miRNA biogenesis factors DROSHA, DGCR8, and DICER exert non-overlapping functions, and have also roles in miRNA-independent regulatory mechanisms. However, it is currently unknown whether miRNA-independent functions of DGCR8 play any role in the maintenance of neuronal progenitors and during corticogenesis. Here, by phenotypic comparison of cortices from conditional Dgcr8 and Dicer knockout mice, we show that Dgcr8 deletion, in contrast to Dicer depletion, leads to premature differentiation of neural progenitor cells and overproduction of TBR1-positive neurons. Remarkably, depletion of miRNAs upon DCGR8 loss is reduced compared to DICER loss, indicating that these phenotypic differences are mediated by miRNA-independent functions of DGCR8. We show that Dgcr8 mutations induce an earlier and stronger phenotype in the developing nervous system compared to Dicer mutants and that miRNA-independent functions of DGCR8 are critical for corticogenesis. Finally, our data also suggest that the Microprocessor complex, with DROSHA and DGCR8 as core components, directly regulates the Tbr1 transcript, containing evolutionarily conserved hairpins that resemble miRNA precursors, independently of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marinaro
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo J Marzi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadin Hoffmann
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hayder Amin
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Pelizzoli
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Niola
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
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Easton CR, Dickey CW, Moen SP, Neuzil KE, Barger Z, Anderson TM, Moody WJ, Hevner RF. Distinct calcium signals in developing cortical interneurons persist despite disorganization of cortex by Tbr1 KO. Dev Neurobiol 2015; 76:705-20. [PMID: 26473411 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cortical development involves the structuring of network features by genetically programmed molecular signaling pathways. Additionally, spontaneous ion channel activity refines neuronal connections. We examine Ca(2+) fluctuations in the first postnatal week of normal mouse neocortex and that expressing knockout of the transcription factor T-brain-1 (Tbr1): a signaling molecule in cortical patterning and differentiation of excitatory neurons. In cortex, glutamatergic neurons express Tbr1 just before the onset of population electrical activity that is accompanied by intracellular Ca(2+) increases. It is known that glutamatergic cells are disordered with Tbr1 KO such that normal laying of the cortex, with newer born cells residing in superficial layers, does not occur. However, the fate of cortical interneurons is not well studied, nor is the ability of Tbr1 deficient cortex to express normal physiological activity. Using fluorescent proteins targeted to interneurons, we find that cortical interneurons are also disordered in the Tbr1 knockout. Using Ca(2+) imaging we find that population activity in mutant cortex occurs at normal frequencies with similar sensitivity to GABAA receptor blockade as in nonmutant cortex. Finally, using multichannel fluorescence imaging of Ca(2+) indicator dye and interneurons labeled with red fluorescent protein, we identify an additional Ca(2+) signal in interneurons distinct from population activity and with different pharmacological sensitivities. Our results show the population activity described here is a robust property of the developing network that continues in the absence of an important signaling molecule, Tbr1, and that cortical interneurons generate distinct forms of activity that may serve different developmental functions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 705-720, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Easton
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, 98101
| | - C W Dickey
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - S P Moen
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - K E Neuzil
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - Z Barger
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - T M Anderson
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - W J Moody
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - R F Hevner
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, 98101
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Chuang HC, Huang TN, Hsueh YP. Neuronal excitation upregulates Tbr1, a high-confidence risk gene of autism, mediating Grin2b expression in the adult brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:280. [PMID: 25309323 PMCID: PMC4159980 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated gene expression of transcription factors is required for neural plasticity and function in response to neuronal stimulation. T-brain-1 (TBR1), a critical neuron-specific transcription factor for forebrain development, has been recognized as a high-confidence risk gene for autism spectrum disorders. Here, we show that in addition to its role in brain development, Tbr1 responds to neuronal activation and further modulates the Grin2b expression in adult brains and mature neurons. The expression levels of Tbr1 were investigated using both immunostaining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. We found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Tbr1 are induced by excitatory synaptic transmission driven by bicuculline or glutamate treatment in cultured mature neurons. The upregulation of Tbr1 expression requires the activation of both α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Furthermore, behavioral training triggers Tbr1 induction in the adult mouse brain. The elevation of Tbr1 expression is associated with Grin2b upregulation in both mature neurons and adult brains. Using Tbr1-deficient neurons, we further demonstrated that TBR1 is required for the induction of Grin2b upon neuronal activation. Taken together with the previous studies showing that TBR1 binds the Grin2b promoter and controls expression of luciferase reporter driven by Grin2b promoter, the evidence suggests that TBR1 directly controls Grin2b expression in mature neurons. We also found that the addition of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) antagonist KN-93, but not the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin antagonist cyclosporin A, to cultured mature neurons noticeably inhibited Tbr1 induction, indicating that neuronal activation upregulates Tbr1 expression in a CaMKII-dependent manner. In conclusion, our study suggests that Tbr1 plays an important role in adult mouse brains in response to neuronal activation to modulate the activity-regulated gene transcription required for neural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chun Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei Taiwan ; Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei Taiwan ; Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
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Abstract
The olfactory cortex (OC) is a complex yet evolutionarily well-conserved brain region, made up of heterogeneous cell populations that originate in different areas of the developing telencephalon. Indeed, these cells are among the first cortical neurons to differentiate. To date, the development of the OC has been analyzed using birthdating techniques along with molecular markers and in vivo or in vitro tracking methods. In the present study, we sought to determine the origin and adult fate of these cell populations using ultrasound-guided in utero injections and electroporation of different genomic plasmids into the lateral walls of the ventricles. Our results provide direct evidence that in the mouse OC, cell fate is determined by the moment and place of origin of each specific cell populations. Moreover, by combining these approaches with the analysis of specific cell markers, we show that the presence of pallial and subpallial markers in these areas is independent of cell origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pedraza
- Lab of Telencephalic Development (A-21), Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience, Instituto Cajal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) Madrid, Spain
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Suárez-Solá ML, González-Delgado FJ, Pueyo-Morlans M, Medina-Bolívar OC, Hernández-Acosta NC, González-Gómez M, Meyer G. Neurons in the white matter of the adult human neocortex. Front Neuroanat 2009; 3:7. [PMID: 19543540 PMCID: PMC2697018 DOI: 10.3389/neuro.05.007.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The white matter (WM) of the adult human neocortex contains the so-called “interstitial neurons”. They are most numerous in the superficial WM underlying the cortical gyri, and decrease in density toward the deep WM. They are morphologically heterogeneous. A subgroup of interstitial neurons display pyramidal-cell like morphologies, characterized by a polarized dendritic tree with a dominant apical dendrite, and covered with a variable number of dendritic spines. In addition, a large contingent of interstitial neurons can be classified as interneurons based on their neurochemical profile as well as on morphological criteria. WM- interneurons have multipolar or bipolar shapes and express GABA and a variety of other neuronal markers, such as calbindin and calretinin, the extracellular matrix protein reelin, or neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and nitric oxide synthase. The heterogeneity of interstitial neurons may be relevant for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia. Interstitial neurons are most prominent in human brain, and only rudimentary in the brain of non-primate mammals. These evolutionary differences have precluded adequate experimental work on this cell population, which is usually considered as a relict of the subplate, a transient compartment proper of development and without a known function in the adult brain. The primate-specific prominence of the subplate in late fetal stages points to an important role in the establishment of interstitial neurons. Neurons in the adult WM may be actively involved in coordinating inter-areal connectivity and regulation of blood flow. Further studies in primates will be needed to elucidate the developmental history, adult components and activities of this large neuronal system.
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